User:Lachlan0696

It is amazing to think that just 20 years ago, laptops were huge, bulky things which no one could afford. Today, anyone can pick one up for a few hundred dollars and have the same abilities as they would with a desktop computer. The tips below will help you as you search out a new laptop.

If you have your heart set on a more expensive laptop, consider a refurbished unit. Many manufacturers offer these, and they often come with a fair warranty too, protecting you in many ways. This will save you hundreds of dollars over a new laptop, while still offering you all the conveniences of the model you truly want.

Don't buy a laptop solely on price alone. Yes, cheap laptops can keep a lot of your hard earned cash in your wallet, but they also might be susceptible to breaking down. It may end up costing you more in the long run if you decide to go cheap early on.

Consider walking into a store and physically trying a laptop, even if you plan to buy it online. Buying a laptop online is a great idea for a number of reasons, but it can be hard to get a clear idea of what the machine looks like. If you can handle it in a store, you will be more comfortable buying it, whether you buy it right there or online.

If you're buying a laptop online, know how to ask questions about it. Find out what the brand name is, and tell the person to give you the specs. If they can't tell you then it's probably a good idea to avoid buying from them. Unless you can look over it in person, it's not worth the risk since you don't know what you'll be getting.

Make sure your laptop includes WiFi. While most laptops today do, some older models are still around that do not include this important feature. Without WiFi, you will not be able to connect to a wireless router, and this means you cannot use your laptop in a coffee shop, many hotels or even the airport.

Often times your laptop will have sensitive personal and/or business related material on it. You will want to get in the habit of backing up all data as soon as you get home from the office. In this way if your laptop is ever misplaced or stolen the personal contained therein will not fall into the wrong hands.

Consider selecting a laptop with a higher pixel count. Your pixel count will determine how clear the images on your screen are, and this can make it easier to view pictures, watch movies and play games. While most budget laptops offer lower pixel count, this is one area where it might be worthwhile to pay a little more for something better.

Always know how much memory is available on your laptop. If you do this, you will likely find unused programs that are just taking up space and resources. When you have more available memory, your laptop runs faster.

Often times your laptop will have sensitive personal and/or business related material on it. You will want to get in the habit of backing up all data as soon as you get home from the office. In this way if your laptop is ever misplaced or stolen the personal contained therein will not fall into the wrong hands.

Consider if your laptop will be your primary computer. If it will, you might want to spend more to get a bigger hard drive, more RAM and an increased number of features. If it will only be a secondary computer, used from time to time when you are on the road, you can get away with something less updated and less expensive.

A lot of laptops that are newer don't have DVD or Blu-ray drives that come with them. This is due to the shift towards streaming media. If you plan on ripping discs or watching DVDs in your laptop, make sure it comes with a Blu-Ray/DVD drive.

To keep anyone else from using your laptop, choose one that has facial recognition or fingerprint scans, so that only some users can get access to particular documents. You don't want just want anyone viewing your information or proprietary files, so use that extra layer of protection to give yourself peace of mind.

Choose a reputable brand when buying your new laptop. Your computer is only as strong as the brand name behind it, and you might find this out if you have to contact customer service for any reason. You want a company that honors the warranty it offers and assists you with updates or other needs too.

Do you really need a DVD burner? With the advent of USB keys and external hard drives, most people don't need to burn DVDs any longer. Think long and hard about whether your new laptop really requires this feature as not having it included will save you hundreds of dollars.

If you want a light, affordable computer, go for a "no drive bay" option. All software will have to be installed from a USB key or online download, but you'll save a ton of money, easily hundreds of dollars, just be skipping the drives. You can always purchase a portable DVD drive to connect by USB for around $70.

If you tend to do some gaming, look at the minimum specs of your favorite games before buying a new laptop. You should have them with you when shopping as you'll need a laptop that meets them. To be honest, your choice should exceed them a bit, as you want room to grow into the newest games coming out.

In laptops, brand is not particularly important, but reputation is. See what people say about Asus, Sony, Apple, and Toshiba. Many brands have a great reputation.

Now after reading the above article, you have many simple tips and ideas that can help make the laptop buying decision an easy one. It doesn't have to be that complicated, and with these great ideas it is now less confusing to get something that is works well for you. Use these tips to your advantage whenever you go looking for a laptop.